Downey CA vs San Bernardino CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Downey
114,617
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
San Bernardino
22.9%
White
Downey
21.0%
San Bernardino
27.6%
San Bernardino +
Black
Downey
0.4%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
San Bernardino
69.6%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 22.9% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 27.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Black | 0.4% | 11.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 69.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
San Bernardino
$23,980
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
San Bernardino
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
San Bernardino
12.8%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Downey, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $63,988 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $23,980 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 19.5% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 12.8% | San Bernardino + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Downey, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $492,059 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 48.5% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
San Bernardino
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
San Bernardino
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Downey, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 37.1% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 20.0% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 20.2% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.1% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Downey, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 30.7 min | San Bernardino + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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